2002 Ford Cvpi problems

General information about Ford-Cvpi
Overview of popular issues
Analysis of common problems
Сomplaints list
Recalls list

The Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor (colloquially referred to as the CVPI, P71, or P7B) is a four-door, body-on-frame sedan that was manufactured by Ford from 1992 to 2011. It is the police car version of the Ford Crown Victoria and was the first vehicle to use the Ford Police Interceptor name.

From 1997 to 2013, the Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor was the most widely used automobile in law enforcement fleets in North America, namely the United States, Canada and Mexico. It was also used for this purpose on a more limited scale in other regions, such as Europe and the Middle East.

History

After the discontinuation of the Chevrolet Caprice, the Ford Motor Company held a near-monopoly on the market for police vehicles in the United States and Canada for over a decade. The conventional rear-wheel drive, V8 power, and body-on-frame construction were considered advantageous for police use. The body-on-frame construction allowed inexpensive repairs after collisions without the need to straighten the chassis. Rear-wheel drive was deemed better for hard maneuvers and more robust than the front-wheel-drive competition for rough driving over curbs and other obstacles in the urban environment.

Although CVPIs were not sold directly to the general public by the manufacturer, they were widely available in North America as used vehicles after being decommissioned. The cars were in demand by taxi companies and others who wanted a safe, durable, and/or inexpensive car, and those who needed a car with a large back seat.

The CVPI came equipped with many heavy-duty parts, such as a revised transmission, and a 186 kW (253 PS; 249 hp) engine. Used versions are normally stripped of any police decals, equipment, police radios, and emergency lights before being sold or auctioned to the public.

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Common 2002 Ford Cvpi problems

Based on complaints from owners of the 2002 Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor (CVPI), several common problems have been reported:

Faulty Mass Air Flow (MAF) Sensor:
- Symptoms include engine misfires, rough idling, and poor acceleration.
- The MAF sensor failure can lead to issues with fuel-air mixture regulation, affecting engine performance.
- To diagnose and fix this problem, testing the MAF sensor and replacing it if necessary is recommended.
Ticking Noises and Acceleration Problems:
- Owners have reported loud drilling noises from the engine, rough idling, and shaking steering wheels.
- Acceleration problems and high RPMs at idle have also been noted.
- Loose spark plugs can lead to engine damage, requiring honing out the threads in the cylinder and reinstalling the spark plug correctly.
Intake Manifold Leaks:
- Symptoms include ticking noises when the engine is cold and a smell of exhaust fumes.
- The original plastic intake manifold can develop leaks, leading to coolant leaks and poor engine performance.
- Upgrading to an intake manifold with an aluminum crossover tube is recommended to prevent leaks and improve durability.
AC Vacuum Hose Issues:
- Owners have experienced air conditioning issues where air comes out of the defrost vents instead of the front vents.
- This problem is often caused by frayed or cracked AC vacuum hoses.
- Replacing the damaged vacuum hoses with new ones is a simple and inexpensive fix to restore proper air conditioning functionality.
Transmission Problems:
- Complaints include overheating transmissions, flashing overdrive and check engine lights, and brakes feeling like they are locking up.
- Replacing the transmission multiple times without resolving the issue indicates a persistent problem that may require thorough diagnostics.
- Checking sensors and potential issues with the transmission control system is recommended before considering a full rebuild.

These common problems reported by owners of the 2002 Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor highlight the importance of regular maintenance and prompt attention to any signs of trouble to ensure the longevity and reliability of the vehicle.

How reliable are Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor?

For decades, this ride has been synonymous with power and reliability. Within police work, the Crown Victoria has served as the definitive police car in many parts of the United States. Today, you're still likely to find this car being used as a reliable commuter or as a budget-friendly first car for teenagers.

How many miles is a Crown Vic good for?

Anything can happen at any age or mileage, but generally speaking, the 4.6 OHC modular engine as installed in most Crown Vics, Grand Marquis, and Town Cars are good for a minimum of 300K miles with an oil change every 6K miles.

How fast can a CVPI go?

The 2004–2011 Police Interceptors are equipped standard with an open 3.27:1 rear axle (axle code Z5), with a traction-lock (Trac-Lok) 3.27:1 rear axle (axle code X5) optional, and are electronically limited to 129 mph (208 km/h) due to critical drive-line speed limitations.

Are Crown Vics cheap to fix?

Ford Crown Victoria

For one, it is one of the least expensive cars to maintain due to how easy they are to repair. Not only that, finding parts for a Crown Vic is like shooting fish in a barrel.

How reliable are Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor?

What engine is in a CVPI?

4.6 L 2V SOHC V8

Comparison with standard Crown Victoria. Both cars use the same 4.6 L 2V SOHC V8 (both Flex Fuel starting in 2008), Ford modular engine, and Ford four-speed automatic transmission.

How long do Crown Vic engines last?

Are Crown Vics cheap to maintain?

The average total annual cost for repairs and maintenance on a Ford Crown Victoria is $1,081, compared to an average of $590 for fullsize cars and $652 for all vehicle models.

2002 Ford Cvpi car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Ford Cvpi problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

Tires problems
Service brakes problems
Hydraulic problems
Engine and engine cooling problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 2002 Ford Cvpi vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

2002 Ford Cvpi complaints

The NHTSA has received 2 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2002 Ford Cvpi.

2010-07-05

TIRES PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2010-07-02
VIN: 2FAFP71W22X
Components: TIRES
Summary: MY SON WAS DRIVING OUR CAR ON THE HIGHWAY AT 60MPH, WHEN THE LEFT FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT. THESE TIRES WERE JUST INSTALLED 1 YEAR AGO, AND ONLY HAVE 6000 MILES ON THEM. *TR

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2005-02-12

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2004-12-10
VIN: 2FAFP71W42X
Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Summary: I OPERATE A LIVERY SERVICE WITH CROWN VIC POLICE INTERCEPTOR WHICH I REPLACE EVERY 4 YEARS AVERAGE. ONCE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AROUND 100 000 MARK ITS DIAGNOSED BY THE COMPUTER AND FIXED BUT COMES RIGHT BACK AFTER A COUPLE OF MONTHS AND ALSO ABS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM ON THIS CARS THEY GO BAD QUICK. *JB

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2002 Ford Cvpi recalls

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 1 recalls for different components of the 2002 Ford Cvpi.

2002-10-15

Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
Summary: IN ORDER TO ENHANCE POLICE OFFICE SAFETY, MODEL YEAR 1992-2003 CROWN VICTORIA POLICE INTERCEPTOR (CVPI) VEHICLES WILL BE EQUIPPED WITH SHIELDS DESIGNED TO HELP PROTECT THE FUEL TANK IN HIGH-SPEED REAR-IMPACT CRASHES. FORD ALSO WILL BE OFFERING AN OPTIONAL TRUNK PACKAGE DESIGNED TO IMPROVE THE SAFE TRANSPORT OF SHARP-EDGED, HEAVY EQUIPMENT IN THESE VEHICLES.
Consequence: SOME HIGH-SPEED REAR-IMPACT CRASHES HAVE RESULTED IN FUEL TANK PUNCTURES AND FIRES IN CVPI VEHICLES.
Remedy: FORD HAS ADVISED US THAT SHIELD KITS HAVE BEEN AVAILABLE SINCE LATE OCTOBER AND WILL BE INSTALLED ON POLICE INTERCEPTOR VEHICLES AT NO COST. THE OPTIONAL TRANK PACKAGE WILL BE AVAILABLE BY THE END OF 2002. FORD HAS ESTABLISHED A NEW WEB SITE AT WWW.CVPI.COM TO ANSWER ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS ABOUT THE SAFE USE OF CPVI VEHICLES.

Additional sources

More sources of information about 2002 Ford Cvpi problems:

Top 5 Problems Ford Crown Victoria Sedan 2nd Gen 1998-2012 ...

I'm considering buying a Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor ...

https://www.quora.com/Im-considering-buying-a-Ford-Crown-Victoria-Police-Interceptor-How-reliable-are-these-vehicles-What-are-some-common-issues-I-should-look-out-for-And-what-is-their-generally-accepted-lifespan

Nov 1, 2019 ... How reliable are these vehicles? What are some common issues I should look out for? And what is their generally accepted lifespan?

The Differences Between a 2002 and 2006 Ford Crown Victoria P71 ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKhLgDLfYVk

Jun 2, 2019 ... The Differences Between a 2002 and 2006 Ford Crown Victoria P71 ... COMMON CROWN VICTORIA PROBLEMS/ THINGS THAT WILL FAIL $$$ ... Notorious CVPI• ...

Ford Crown Victoria Questions - How many miles before breakdown ...

https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/Discussion-d324_ds482616

Jul 4, 2010 ... Intake manifold replaced 160,000 common problem until 2002 model. ... My 2002 Crown Vic has 132K on it and needs lots of work. ... I purchased a ...